Lot 17 | 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml (94-Points)

Lot 17
2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (94-Points)

Intense notes of blackberry, cassis, and bing cherry followed by layers of cigar box, toasty french oak and violets. Bold plum and ripe raspberry balanced with lively acidity and firm tannins usher in a flourish of vanilla and spice in a long, lingering finish. The tannins soften in the decanter adding subtle notes of brandied cherries and oiled leather. Well-balanced with beautifully attenuated fruit, this French pedigreed, First Growth-quality Cabernet is about as terroir-driven a wine as you'll find in Napa Valley.

Check-in tasting 6.23.21 - Hurray! This wine has gone in and out of funk with cranky, leesy aromatics and an angular palate. It has come around beautifully, however, really cracking open with cassis and raspberry and a palate staining finish…this wine is a total monster with an alluvial tannin profile that will continue to complex beautifully.

Overall rating: 4.625 / 5 from 8 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["wine","fruit","beauty"].

Review highlights

Reviews

Better and Better

"This wine continues to improve Opened the first one in 2020 and most recently in May of 2024."

— Jim (4/5)

Perfecto!!!

"oh my! completely forgot about this one -- was behind some later lots in the fridge. Had the 17 last night - easily tasted like a $100 bottle. Just looked at what I paid - $12.50 a bottle back in the day! best surprise of 2024 yet!"

— Mark M. (5/5)

QPR champion!

"This wine is amazing, I paid $20 something and it drinks like a $70 wine. The structure is wonderful and I love the dark fruit/red fruit combo! I wish that dN had more available!!"

— John D. (5/5)

Enjoyable wine

"I had ordered N.20 back when it was first offered, so I thought I'd pick up n.17 (the baby brother) to compare. I think this wine was very nice, had good fruit and complex flavors, although the tannins felt a bit more rustic than in N.20. Still a very good price on a nice wine."

— margaret l. (4/5)

Smooth, bold, and full bodied!

"Smooth, bold, and full bodied!"

— Brooke R. (5/5)

Loved it! The ratings always

"Loved it! The ratings always seem to be spot on."

— Jerry F. (5/5)

Not quite as bold and

"Not quite as bold and heavy as I expected but very nice as an every day."

— Cline Y. (4/5)

Loved it!

"Now we're talkin' Cal cabs at their best. This full bodied beauty enhanced our fine dinner and we will definitely buy more."

— mike (5/5)

Q&A